| The Southern Star | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Information | |
| Location | Melbourne Docklands |
| Status | Closed |
| Groundbreaking | 30 June 2006[1] |
| Constructed | 2006–2008 |
| Opening | 20 December 2008 |
| Use | Observation wheel |
| Height | |
| Roof | 120 m (394 ft) |
| Technical details | |
| Cost | A$100 million |
| Companies | |
| Architect | Sanoyas Hishino Meisho |
| Contractor | Hansen Yuncken[2] |
| Developer | Alfasi Group |
| Owner | ING Real Estate |
The Southern Star, currently nonoperational, is an observation wheel in the Waterfront City precinct at Melbourne Docklands in Melbourne, the state capital of Victoria, Australia. It is the only permanent observation wheel in the Southern Hemisphere and is 120 m (390 ft) high, the equivalent of a forty storey building.[2] The wheel is similar in concept to the London Eye, which is 135 m (440 ft) high.[1] After operating for only one month, the wheel is now indefinitely out of operation, pending major repairs.
Contents |
History
The project, undertaken by ING Real Estate and managed by Hansen Yuncken, cost A$100 million to construct between 2006 and 2008, and was expected to attract 1.5 million visitors each year.
The outer ring of the wheel was completed on 1 March 2008. The passenger pods arrived onsite on 10 June 2008 for installation. By 20 October 2008, the pods were receiving their fit out.[3] An opening date of 28 November 2008 was set only to be postponed due to delays in procuring parts and bad weather. The wheel opened on 20 December 2008.[2][3][4][5]
In January 2009, approximately one month after its opening, the Southern Star observation wheel was shut down indefinitely after structural defects, including buckling and cracks, were detected. The operators initially blamed the 2009 Southeastern Australia heat wave for causing the damage. It is not known when the wheel will reopen.[6][7]
Upon further investigation, engineers working on the wheel discovered the cracks were not caused by the heatwave but rather a problem in the original design. Fourteen cracks have been found in the steel.[8]
World Tourist Attractions submitted a proposal to the Commonwealth Government for the acquisition of the land and assets on the site from ING Real Estate.[3]
Specifications
The structure is comprised of 1,250 t (1,230 LT; 1,380 ST) of steel and 3.7 km (2.3 mi) of LED lighting. The supporting steel columns were manufactured in Tasmania by Alfasi Group, and the wheel structure was manufactured in the Greater Melbourne suburb of Dandenong.
The 21 5.7 m (19 ft) long and 3.7 m (12 ft) high air-conditioned enclosed capsules were imported from Sanoyas Hishino Meisho in Osaka, Japan. Each can accommodate up to 20 passengers, and provides extensive views of the city and Port Phillip Bay and as far as Geelong.[9]
References
- ^ a b Kelly, Jan (2006-05-30). "Work to spin Ferris wheel". Herald Sun. http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,19300554-2862,00.html. Retrieved 2008-10-25.
- ^ a b c "The Southern Star". The Southern Star. http://www.thesouthernstar.com.au/. Retrieved 2008-07-01.
- ^ a b c Royall, Ian; Matt Johnston (2008-10-20). "Man seeks to propose to girlfriend in new Southern Star wheel". Herald Sun. http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,24520672-661,00.html. Retrieved 2008-10-25.
- ^ Rennie, Reko (2008-10-27). "Melbourne's big wheel to open next month". The Age. http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2008/10/27/1224955915134.html. Retrieved 2008-10-27.
- ^ Rennie, Reko (2008-12-19). "After the spin, Melbourne's wheel ready to turn". The Age. http://www.theage.com.au/travel/after-the-spin-melbournes-wheel-ready-to-turn-20081219-721z.html. Retrieved 2008-12-19.
- ^ "Wheel Closure". The Southern Star. 2009-01-30. http://www.thesouthernstar.com.au/mediarelease.aspx?id=15. Retrieved 2009-02-02.
- ^ "Heat Closes Melbourne's Southern Star". The Age. 2009-02-02. http://www.theage.com.au/travel/travel-news/heat-closes-melbournes-southern-star-wheel-20090202-7v8r.html. Retrieved 2009-02-02.
- ^ "Design fault to keep wheel shut". The Age. 2009-03-02. http://business.theage.com.au/business/design-fault-to-keep-ailing-wheel-shut-20090301-8lh8.html. Retrieved 2009-03-02.
- ^ "The Southern Star Observation Wheel". The Southern Star. 2008-04-28. http://www.waterfrontcity.com.au/Home/tabid/56/mid/465/newsid465/40/Default.aspx. Retrieved 2008-07-01.
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Southern Star Observation Wheel |
- The Southern Star
- Southern Star Observation Wheel facts and figures
- The Southern Star (observation wheel) is at 37°48′40″S 144°56′13″E / 37.8110723°S 144.9368763°ECoordinates: 37°48′40″S 144°56′13″E / 37.8110723°S 144.9368763°E
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